31 minutes ago, unofix said:

Many thanks for that unofix.  I was aware that you could change the Battery Target State but I thought you couldn't on the Mk3 Focus.  I do have Forscan and an obd 'dongle' but haven't used them yet.  The car is booked into Ford again but not until the 13th March - you can't get in any sooner down here - .  If I can change the battery target, I suppose it would be better to put it back before taking it in?  Mind you, if it cures the problem, there would be no need to take it in.

Many thanks again

Paul

 

31 minutes ago, unofix said:

 

 

These setting might be of interest to you......

 

 

22 hours ago, Paul Loseby said:

Car gave up altogether this morning and on the multimeter, 5.2 volts.  Charged until 3.30 when showing 12.6v.  Tried to start car - nothing.  In the end, called breakdown out so that I could be taken to Vosper Ford in Exeter, who did the diagnostics check and fitted the new battery two months ago.   Breakdown came out and first thing he did was to take the clamp of the positive terminal.  It had still got blue paint on from the manufacturer.  He cleaned it and reconnected it - and the lights flashed on.  It then started first time.  Left it running for a bit and both battery and alternator were both fine.

How could a main Ford dealer, not clean the battery terminal before connecting it???  Is it me or does no-one care these days?

I hadn't checked the terminal as I assumed that being only 2 months old, it would be clean.

I do appreciate all of the feedback I've been given though.  Many thanks and kindest regards.  Paul

 

 

While not wishing to rain on your parade the poor connection would explain the failure to produce the current required for starting but it doesn't explain why the battery voltage had dropped to 5.2 Volts. This must have happened when all the canbus modules were supposed to have gone to sleep so there should only have been a few milliamps of drain.

12 minutes ago, mjt said:

While not wishing to rain on your parade the poor connection would explain the failure to produce the current required for starting but it doesn't explain why the battery voltage had dropped to 5.2 Volts. This must have happened when all the canbus modules were supposed to have gone to sleep so there should only have been a few milliamps of drain.

Yes, annoyingly, I know that there will still be a drain.  It is back at Ford on the 13th March, the earliest they could fit it in.  I'm lucky as last time, I had to wait for 8 weeks to get it in.

Kindest Regards

Paul